18 killed at railway station en route to Maha Kumbh Mela
- Paul Aage Hegvik
- Feb 17
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 15
A tragic stampede at New Delhi's main railway station on the evening of February 15, 2025, resulted in at least 18 deaths, including five children, and left more than a dozen injured.
The incident occurred around 8:00 PM local time as thousands of passengers gathered on platforms 14 and 15, awaiting trains to Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh Mela, the world’s largest religious gathering.
«18 people including 9 women and 5 children lost their lives in the stampede that occurred yesterday around 10 p.m. at New Delhi Railway station,» Delhi police told CNN affiliate CNN-News18 in a statement.
The chaos reportedly began after an announcement about a change of train platforms, leading to confusion and a rush among the crowd. As people hurried to the new platforms, some slipped and fell while descending from a footbridge, triggering a deadly domino effect.
In the aftermath, the station was strewn with shoes and personal belongings, stark reminders of the panic that ensued.
Similar incident in january
This tragedy comes just weeks after a similar incident at the Maha Kumbh Mela festival in Prayagraj, where at least 30 people lost their lives in a crowd crush during a ritual bathing ceremony. The tragic stampede occurred in late January 2025 during a ritual bathing ceremony.
In response to the tragic stampede at New Delhi Railway Station, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his distress and offered condolences to the victims' families. He stated, «Distressed by the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured have a speedy recovery.» The Prime Minister also assured that authorities are providing assistance to those affected by the incident.
–Massive failure and negligence
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced an investigation into the cause of the stampede and confirmed that the situation at the station was under control.
Former Railway Minister and Congress leader Pawan Kumar Bansal criticized the handling of the situation, stating that this is a massive failure and negligence on the part of the central government and the Railway Minister.
Overcrowded transportation hubs
The Maha Kumbh Mela is held every 12 years, with the 2025 edition taking place in Prayagraj from January to April. The main ritual bathing dates, known as Shahi Snan, attract millions of devotees seeking spiritual purification in the sacred rivers. The massive influx of pilgrims often leads to overcrowded transportation hubs, posing significant challenges for authorities in managing the safety and movement of such large crowds.
This recent incident highlights the urgent need for improved crowd management and safety measures during major religious events in India to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Maha Kumbh Mela – Key facts
What: The Maha Kumbh Mela is the world’s largest religious gathering, where millions of Hindu devotees gather for ritual bathing in sacred rivers.
Where: Held in Prayagraj, India, at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and mythical Sarasvati rivers.
When: Occurs every 12 years, with the 2025 edition running from January to April.
Why: Devotees believe that bathing in the holy rivers during this time cleanses sins and leads to spiritual liberation (moksha).
Other Kumbh Mela locations: Besides Prayagraj, the Kumbh Mela is also held in Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain, each every 12 years but staggered so that a major festival happens every three years.
Attendance: The Maha Kumbh Mela can attract over 100 million pilgrims, making it the largest human gathering in history.
Cultural significance: Recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Security & infrastructure: Indian authorities deploy thousands of police, medical teams, and temporary facilities to manage the massive crowds.
